It was a clash of greatness as the top two lacrosse teams in the state, Creighton Prep and Millard West, faced off in a highly anticipated game. Both teams entered the match with an undefeated record, fueling the already intense rivalry between the two schools. The stage was set for a thrilling and hard-fought battle that did not disappoint, as each team sought to maintain their perfect record and earn a clear path to the one seed for the playoffs. 

The Wildcats found some success early with junior Reece Straley dominating the face off X and scoring the opening goal to give the Wildcats the lead. The Wildcats should soon notch another goal to give the team a 2-0 lead just 90 seconds into the game.

Creighton Prep would respond and they would respond greatly. Led by senior Angelo Badami they would control the pace of game and lengthen their possessions, the team would score eight straight goals to close out the first quarter, giving the Jays a 8-2 lead at the end of the first quarter. 

The damage would not stop there as freshman William Treadwell would beat his man and score another goal for the Jays giving them a 9-2 lead early into the second quarter. 

“Being down 9-2 as early as we were allowed us to just let loose and play to our full potential,” sophomore Jack Fedde said. “The message was to just keep playing our game.”

Millard West would not back down and they would continue to fight.

Straley would continue to dominate from the face off spot stealing multiple extra possessions for the Wildcats and they would not waste them with senior captain Reef Beal leading the offense and sophomore Luke White contributing with some goals of his own. The Wildcats would also score three goals during a man up situation because of an illegal stick penalty call on Creighton Prep’s Badami. 

Jonah Salem would rip in a goal for the Jays as the buzzer sounded giving them a 11-7 lead at the half.

“The halftime message was, we just got to keep punching and keep hitting hard and just run Millard West lacrosse,” senior captain David Christensen said. “It got everybody hyped. We all were ready to fight for each other.”

The third quarter would be a back and forth defensive battle with great defense from senior captain David Christensen for Millard West and senior Andrew Ternent for Creighton Prep leading the way for their teams defensively. It also would include some clutch goals by junior Jake Vanis and senior captain Alex Warren. 

But every time West would score, Prep would soon find a way to answer, mostly relying on their star attackman Badami for goals. 

“Staley was having an amazing game and saving us on face offs,” Christensen said. “Letting the offense get the ball and get extra possessions. We were all hyped for him.”

With only one quarter left to play Creighton Prep found themselves up 14-11.

Millard West would start the last quarter quickly winning more faceoffs and with some help by senior captain Brody Gorseth would score two goals. Thanks to incredible defense by Fedde, and the rest of the defense the Wildcats would find themselves down only one with about seven minutes left the play.

“Even though we were down at first, we got back into the groove we are used to playing in,” sophomore David Finnestad. “We know how good we could play and felt like we could win this game.”

That’s when the wheels would fall off for the Wildcats.

Creighton Prep would hold the Wildcats scoreless for the rest of the game and because Millard West had to play extra aggressive defense to try to get the ball for their offense. The Junior Jays would score six more goals. Giving the Jays a 19-13 victory over the Wildcats. 

“It’s a new season, Prep is behind us and we can’t let the highs be too high and let the lows be too low,” Christensen said. “I do feel like we will crush everybody else in the league now and hopefully get our revenge in the state championship.”

Millard West will be back in action Friday night April 28, at home for senior night then they travel to Sioux Falls Saturday April 29. With about two weeks left in the regular season both teams have high hopes for their season and could potentially meet again for a state championship rematch.